Let’s talk about this amazing superfood rated as one of the highest antioxidant foods and can help in fighting off free radicals that can cause damage to cellular structures within your body. Yep, blueberries. They not only taste delicious, but they have extraordinary health benefits that you can’t afford to pass up. In this article, we will share with you some of the wonderful benefits of blueberries, the anti-inflammatory superfood.
First, we will take a look at the importance of organic versus conventional blueberries and how blueberries improve immune health and fight cancer. Next, we will discuss how berries can help with weight loss. Then, we will cover blueberries’ ability to improve brain function in older adults and wrap things up with how blueberries can make a significant impact on your health. Once you have finished reading, you will want to incorporate more of this superfood into your diet.
1Organic And Conventional Blueberries' Quality
Blueberries are part of the EWG’s 2021 “12 dirty dozen foods”, a listing of a dozen fruits and vegetables that are commonly exposed to high levels of pesticides and have a thin outer layer that does little to protect them from absorbing chemicals and toxins. They are ranked from highest to lowest in pesticide residue, with blueberries being the 16th highest fruit containing pesticides. Organically grown blueberries often have higher antioxidant values than conventionally grown crops, where the fruit’s potential is degraded by the presence of herbicides, pesticides, and other chemical treatments that are harmful to the body. These chemicals are harmful to the gut and digestive system; they even irritate the brain!
Nearly 70 percent of the non-organic fresh produce sold in the U.S. contains residues of potentially harmful chemical pesticides, according to EWG’s analysis of the latest test data from the Federal Department of Agriculture. Some people believe that the chemicals are safe in small amounts, but not even small amounts should be in our food! The next time that you see the higher price for organic blueberries, you should remember to think of the health benefits, and instead of comparing price, compare quality and nutritional value. Shop for them when they are in season, and buy in bulk so you can preserve them for later in the year.
2Improve The Immune System And Fight Cancer
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants. They have the highest antioxidant capacity compared to other fruits. The powerful antioxidants in blueberries improve the immune system and prevent infections, such as urinary tract infection.
Blueberries can help reduce the risk of cancer. They contain anthocyanin, which gives them a dark hue. Anthocyanin is known to attack free radicals that cause cancer in the body.
3Blueberries Can Help With Weight Loss
Blueberries can help with weight loss. They are low in fat and sodium and are low in calories, with just about 80 calories per cup, making them a healthy, low-calorie snack. Blueberries are also rich in vitamin C, which promotes tissue growth and wound healing. Blueberries are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which reduces the risk of heart diseases and obesity since it adds bulk to your diet and keeps you full longer.
They provide about 25% of the daily requirement for vitamin C in one serving. Blueberries are rich in manganese that supports bone development. Manganese helps the body process cholesterol and convert carbohydrates to energy. Just three servings of blueberries a week can help fight heart diseases, memory loss, and indigestion. Blueberries are excellent for the brain; they improve brain health and reduce the risk of memory loss.
4Improve Brain Function In Older Adults
As you grow older, consider adding more blueberries to your diet. Blueberries’ antioxidant anthocyanin has been shown to prevent physical signs of aging, like osteoporosis, age spots, and wrinkles. They also aid in helping ward off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by preventing the degradation of the neurons and brain cells.
These berries are one of nature’s most powerful superfoods. So you will want to indulge in this tiny little berry and reap the benefits as a part of your optimal health plan. So don’t delay — start incorporating more of these tiny nutritional gems into your diet now!
5Make A Significant Impact On Your Health
Blueberries are a Native American plant and an American favorite. Before the 1900s, Americans could only find blueberries in the wild before being cultivated by the early scientists for consumption. Blueberry bushes will produce for up to twenty years, thrive in acidic soil, and are relatively hassle-free to maintain.
Blueberries are at their peak harvest from April through late September and are grown in 35 out of 50 states in North America. Blueberries deliver the highest nutrient value when consumed fresh and raw. Did you know that eating just a ¼ cup of blueberries a day will reap great benefits and can make a significant impact on your health? You can sprinkle them in smoothies, add them to salads or yogurt, make pancakes or muffins, or simply enjoy a handful of fresh raw, delicious blueberries.
Blueberries are one of the highest antioxidant foods that fight off free radicals that damage cellular structures within your body. Along with the amazing health benefits, they taste delicious. In this article, we shared with you some of the amazing benefits of blueberries, the anti-inflammatory superfood.
First, we took a look at the importance of organic versus conventional blueberries and how blueberries improve immune health and fight cancer. Next, we discussed how the berries could help with weight loss. Then, we covered blueberries improving brain function in older adults and wrapped things up with how blueberries can make a powerful impact on your health. Now that you have finished reading, you can incorporate more of this superfood into your diet.